Just as Dorothy so eloquently told
us as she tapped her brilliant ruby
slippers together, there really is no
place like home. We all have fond
memories of the safety and comforts
associated with what we have called
“home” over the years, and we at
Spectrum truly hope that each of you
feels just as affectionately at home
today, here in your community. Join
us this month as we reminisce about
what “home” means to you, and as we
celebrate another monumental time
of our lives…

The Decade of Resilience and
Community: 1930-1939
After the war, the stock market
crashed and The Great Depression
took hold on the world. Many
families struggled to make ends
meet as entire industries dried up,
unemployment rates rose and, for
those who were lucky enough to
retain a job, salaries were drastically
reduced. It would be a long road
to recovery and a great challenge to
simply survive.
Though times were tough, we have
probably all learned at least once in
our lives that through great pain also
comes great progress. One of the first
female pilots in our history, Emelia
Earhart, was making history in the
aviation industry, and for womankind.
Politically, two presidents, Herbert
Hoover and Franklin D. Roosevelt,
made their marks during their terms
as they attempted (from very different

April 2014

points of view) to improve the state of
the economy.
And in the name of entertainment,
people found pleasure in simple forms
of leisure. President Roosevelt, an avid
stamp collector, started a fad among
hobbyists. Traditional parlor games
as well as board games became all the
rage in households as Parker Brothers
introduced the still-popular game of
Monopoly. Gambling increased and
also became an outlet as people sought
any means to add to their income. The
attendance and radio play of spectator
sports like baseball and horse racing
also grew in popularity. And in
Hollywood, film and film-making
flourished to serve as an escape for the
suffering people of the Depression.
Perhaps one of the most notable film
releases of the time is The Wizard
of Oz due to the exorbitant cost to
produce it, the elaborate set and
costume design, and the breathtaking
revelation of Technicolor used during
the opening scenes.
This time of our lives, with so much
necessary effort to survive, revealed
the best and worst attributes of our
very being. There is no shortage
of remarkable tales from the era…
What experiences or stories do you
remember from this time, and how
did they shape who you are today?

“...if I ever go
looking for my
heart’s desire
again, I shouldn’t
look any further
than my own
backyard.”

-Dorothy,
The Wizard of Oz

Community Spotlight

Thoughts from the Director of Fun

Night shift is always a tough shift.
Filling night shift positions with reliable
people who actually do the work they
are assigned is especially challenging.
Lakeview was quite fortunate when
Rick Lehman became our Night
Concierge. He has brought steady
reliability, conscientious attention to
his work, and compassionate caring to
the residents. Most of you have not met
Rick, even though he will have worked
at Lakeview for three years this June.
Rick is a slight man with a soft voice.
He was born in Des Moines, but his
family moved to Denver in 1956.
Rick began working in the old Adams
County Library as a librarian, but soon
began driving the bookmobile and a
shuttle service between libraries. He
met his future wife Vernetta, there.
They have been married 39 years. He
moved next to work in a bindery for
a year, but again ended up driving a
shuttle service for the company for
another 19 years. That driving job led
to a position driving night shift for a
trucking company, making deliveries
and unloading the cargo. About the
same time as the economy went sour,
Rick faced a serious health threat:
pancreatic cancer. After surgeries and
treatment, Rick was ready to continue

Hurray, it’s Spring! We will focus in April on
the 1930’s, “The Decade of Resilience and
Community.” Our theme this month will be
“There’s No Place Like Home.” On April 7th
bring pictures of your homes and family to share
stories with other residents while enjoying coffee
and cookies. Three movies we will showcase this
month take place in the 1930’s: “The Changeling”,
“Cinderella Man”, and “The Natural.” Other
events occurring in the ‘30’s will be explored in
documentaries such as “Where’s Amelia Earhart”,
“The Golden Gate Bridge” and “The Building of
Hoover Dam.” Dinner entertainment on April

working, but could not handle the
physically demanding aspects of that
job any more. The trucking company’s
loss was Lakeview’s gain. Residents
who have met Rick for the first time
when they activated their emergency
alert in the wee hours of the morning
have frequently commented on how
kind Rick was, and how he gently
reassured them as they waited for the
paramedics. Rick really enjoys the
small group of early-risers who come by
the front desk to chat with him before
7 a.m. It is part of why he loves his job;
the other reason, he said, is that he is
not driving anymore! The Lakeview
Directors considered a number of
worthwhile employee candidates for
the Gatekeeper Award for the first
quarter of 2014, but everyone kept
coming back to the quiet, unassuming
“rock” who works for us on the night
shift, Rick Lehman. We are pleased
to announce his selection. Along with
a personal plaque and a gift card for
$250, Rick’s name will be added to the
plaque in the lobby near the front door.
Rick, even though you are there all by
yourself at night, we don’t forget for
a minute the significant contribution
you make to the smooth functioning
of Lakeview Senior Living.

Monthly Main Events Overview
Our theme this month is “There’s No
Place Like Home.” Please join us on
Monday, April 7th at 3:00 to visit with

friends to share photos and stories of
your home and family while enjoying
coffee and cookies.

3rd will be music of the ‘30’s; listen and dance!
We have a number of fun trips such as The
History Colorado Center and The Wild Animal
Sanctuary, as well as lunch and dinner out to a
variety of restaurants. Don’t forget to sign up for
the special ladies’ luncheon on April 15th and the
men’s luncheon on the 22nd. Please check out
the Zumba Gold class on April 11th. This is a fun
way to exercise while dancing to music—you can
even dance IN YOUR CHAIR.

Jackie Stephens
Director of Fun

Activity Highlights
2

Trip to Trader Joe’s and Lunch Out
10:45 Sign Up at Front Desk

5

Depart for Lunch at Steak & Shake Then
See a Movie at River Point Movie Theater
11:00 Sign Up at Front Desk

6

Dinner Out – Super Star Asian Cuisine
4:15 Sign Up at Front Desk

9

Trip to History Colorado Center & Lunch
Out 10:30 Sign Up at Front Desk

16 Depart for Trip – Gamble at Black Hawk
or Stay on Bus For Lunch Out & Scenic
Drive 9:30 Sign Up at Front Desk
19 Depart for The Wild Animal Sanctuary
with Boxed Lunch 10:00 Sign Up at
Front Desk
20 Happy Easter! Two Seatings for
Champagne Brunch; First Seating 11:0012:00 Second Seating 12:30-1:30 – Sign
Up at Front Desk